iOS 9 beta: Why are some promised features not in the beta? And: Time to update NDA! [duplicate]

Question

I know, I know... This probably looks like another idiot complaining that the beta of all things is buggy. I know right? ZOMG WHATS THE POINT OF A BUGGY BETA??!?!?

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But, I think this is a worthy question. And besides, I am pretty convinced it's not a bug. No, I am positive. I use an iPod Touch fifth generation, and am painfully aware of how ancient the processor is. I downloaded the iOS 9 public beta the other day, because after all, I had nothing to lose if the iPod 6 is coming tomorrow😊 And it has gone surprisingly well! But I noticed that some of the features they advertise for iOS 9 are not there. Like the Smart Search thingy when you swipe right on the first page of the home screen. And also, I don't know if this is supposed to be a iPhone 6 only feature, but I am missing the Low Power Mode switch in settings.

I don't know if these features are supposed to be released later in a future beta release, if it's a problem with my A5 processor, or if I missed the memo on some information that would be fun to have at the moment. But I've held of from providing Apple with feedback yet, because I am pretty sure it's my fault somewhere or another... Anyway, if you are having a similar experience or have some blindingly obvious information that I overlooked, let me know. Thanks!

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Ok, hold the iPhone!

Now, I understand why(maybe) my question has received down votes. Because I am discussing software that "hasn't been released to the public". However, I disagree. It is, in fact, and say it with me: a public beta. The key word there is public. In case you didn't notice the italic font I used there. Now, technically, and this article proves it: Are iOS 10, macOS 10.12, watchOS 3 or tvOS 10 (beta) questions OK?

Look at the excepted answer. What happens next will shock and amaze you.

We do have precedent for allowing questions on software that is released in a beta status so if/when these OS versions get a wider release (perhaps as part of the OS X Beta seed program), we may have to revisit whether to have the policy relaxed with respect to software that is pre-release.

That when, Ladies and gentlemen, is NOW. Like it or not.

Answer 1

A couple of things

• welcome to Ask Different.
• Generally, discussion is OK on meta only - so if you post questions on the main site, don't ask for opinions or experience - narrow down the issue and just assume people with opinions or experience will answer.
• The community will need to have significantly more votes for the "yes" answer than the "no" answer in Should beta OS questions be on-topic due to NDA changes + widening distribution by Apple
• Unless there is a groundswell of yes sentiment, then the status quo of "close them as they are off-topic" will continue (see Are iOS 10, macOS 10.12, watchOS 3 or tvOS 10 (beta) questions OK?)

I personally answered the "yes" and "no" responses, so voting on them is out of my hands. Should I be a tie breaker, I'm likely to fall on "yes - let's try opening beta software for a trial" but ideally, the community will vote overwhelmingly for one answer to not need one moderator's tie breaker at all.